America’s Growing Reliance on African Energy Resources

The Heritage Foundation ^ | June 20, 2006 | Brett D. Schaefer

[sergey1973]

Most Americans view Africa as a region plagued by instability, poverty, and poor governance. Although accurate for portions of the continent, this picture is far from complete and fails to recog­nize the region’s growing importance to U.S. national security and economic interests. American interests in Africa range from traditional develop­ment and humanitarian problems to the more recent challenges posed by globalization and the opportunities for terrorists and other violent actors to exploit unstable countries. There is also a rising expectation by many in America and other coun­tries that the U.S. will intervene in internal and regional African conflicts more frequently and actively, whether diplomatically or in support of military missions.

Moreover, as articulated in both the 2006 State of the Union address and the National Security Strategy, the importance of expanding and ensuring America’s access to energy resources has transformed Africa from a strategic backwater into a priority region for U.S. economic, political, and military interests. How­ever, pursuit of oil should not trump the economic and political reform necessary to sustain long-term economic growth and development. Oil revenues in developing countries tend to foster corruption, con­tribute to instability, and undermine incentives for reform. This tendency makes it all the more impor­tant for the United States to press oil-producing nations in Africa to adopt policy changes that would ensure that wealth from natural resources will not be squandered or contribute to political repression and instability.

[sergey1973]

PING--An interesting analysis of possible future of the US Source of Energy.

BTW, I use my Russia & Eurasia Ping list to ping on other articles as well. If you prefer to be pinged only on articles related to Russia & Eurasia, pls let me know. I don't want to overping my Ping List friends -:))))

[contemplator]

...There is also a rising expectation by many in America and other coun­tries that the U.S. will intervene in internal and regional African conflicts more frequently and actively...

This 'rising expectation' of which the author speaks sounds like wishful thinking, or a false premise upon which to base further assertions in the article. I've seen no polls or other statistical data to back this up. Either way, this is a very slippery slope. In my opinion it's one that cannot be attempted in a single on-going type of doctrine but one which would have to be bitten off in pieces as opportunities presented themselves to 'spread democracy'.

[sergey1973]

I agree--the guy uses quite a number of globalistic mumbo-jumbo talking points. Nevertheless, the essay is still interesting as it reflects the potential to break the oil dependency on Islamic Terror Financing Middle East.

[bordergal]

Don't forget that there is a significant Muslim presence in Africa.

[sergey1973]

Of course, I'd rather see America developing actively it's own natural resources then relying on anybody else, but Africa is a possible alternative to Middle Eastern Islamist sheikhs can be sound alternative (depending on the specific region of Africa of course).

[Teacher317]

Don't forget that there is a significant Muslim presence in Africa.

Also note that China is making HUGE inroads there politically, through business deals, and via immigration. Several African nations now have Chinese populations (not just "Asian") over 7%. I think they've seen Mexico's success here, and noted the resource-rich nations there, and did the math.

[Restorer]

Most Americans view Africa as a region plagued by instability, poverty, and poor governance. Although accurate for portions of the continent, this picture is far from complete

So which areas or countries aren't "plagued by instability, poverty, and poor governance?" From here it looks like a universal condition of the continent, although I'm sure some areas are worse than others.

I've heard (relatively) good things about Tunisia and Morocco, although when we say "Africa" we're usually euphemizing for sub-Saharan or black Africe.

[Calpernia]

So Africa is a front for shades of grey.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1652851/posts
Angola: China's African foothold

[Calpernia]

bump

[theBuckwheat]

America's Growing Reliance on non-ANWR oil.

(It is just not honest to draw lines on a map of the United States where oil drilling is forbidden and then saying that we "depend" on outside sources.)

[sergey1973]

"America's Growing Reliance on non-ANWR oil.

(It is just not honest to draw lines on a map of the United States where oil drilling is forbidden and then saying that we "depend" on outside sources.)"

Definitely -:))) In the end, it's better to rely on your own resources than on anybody elses. Too bad there are too many environmentalist fanatics who worry much more about Caribou habitat than about the survival of America. Modern technology and the responsible exploration can allow to drill the oil in ANWR or other places without destroying the environment, but Econuts are still too powerful.

[Calpernia]

I thought our gov declared enviro groups or something domestic terrorists.

What happened with that?

[sergey1973]

Some are declared terrorists, but some are in Congress -:))))